Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 05/15/2014 Set in early Scandinavia and drawing on Norse culture and mythology, this accessible fantasy brings together two very different children bound by common goals: escape, survival, and setting things right. Karn shows no interest in learning to barter or to run the family farm that will be his responsibility someday, but he has energy to spare for playing his favorite board game, Thrones and Bones. At seven feet tall, 12-year-old half-human Thianna is significantly shorter than the full-blood frost giants she has grown up with, but she makes up for it with spirit, wits, and determination. Leaving home for different reasons, this unlikely pair manages to outwit a series of vicious enemies and even comes to understand themselves better. Though the dialogue sometimes sounds jarringly modern, and it’s never quite convincing that these two young characters could defeat so many powerful antagonists, adventure fans will enjoy the action, the Norse background, and the occasional flash of humor. This book launches the Thrones and Bones series. - Copyright 2014 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 06/01/2014 Gr 5–8—Karn would rather be playing his beloved board game, "thrones and bones," than learning to become hauld of his father's farm, which has been passed down many generations. He meets Thianna, a half-giant, half-human girl who longs to fit in with the club-wielding frost giants, the only community she's ever known. When a tragedy reminiscent of Shakespeare's Hamlet occurs, the two pair up in order to survive. They soon realize the danger that they're in and that they need each other's unique skills to survive. Aside from the sometimes difficult-to-decipher Norse names, the language is quite easy to understand and that, coupled with the shorter-than-your-average-fantasy length, makes this an excellent choice for readers new to the genre. The themes of staying true to oneself, teamwork, and individuality will resonate with readers. Fans of Matthew Kirby's Icefall (Scholastic, 2011) who bemoaned the lack of magic in that book will enjoy this new series. A good addition to a fantasy collection with potential for future entries.—Jessica Ko, Los Angeles Public Library - Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

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